Transfer dynamics of antibiotic resistance determinants across urban water systems: The free-floating genetic perspective

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today, leading to a growing number of difficult-to-treat infections and an economic burden. It can affect anyone of any age and in any country. It is mainly accelerated by the misuse and abuse of antibiotics, poor hygiene, and a lack of...

Phosphate recovery from wastewater via reversible adsorption

Eutrophication and the resulting formation of harmful algal blooms causes huge economic and environmental damages. Phosphorus (P) has been identified as a major limiting nutrient for eutrophication. Phosphorous concentration greater than 100 µg P/L is usually considered high enough for causing eutrophication. The strictest regulations however...

Fungal removal of humic acids from treated wastewater: Potentials for a continuous flow non-sterile bioreactor

In order to address the ambiguities and knowledge gaps in the HA removal by WRF, mechanisms of removal were explored in chapter 2. It was shown that the mechanisms of HA removal by WRF involves the degradation of HA to smaller molecules, conversion to FA and also biosorption of HA by fungal mycelia. Furthermore, the ability of laccase to...

Mainstream anammox, potential & feasibility of autotrophic nitrogen removal

Currently wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) consume a lot of energy and surface area. While the incoming water contains chemical energy (BOD) and reusable resources which are not effectively utilized. The ideal is to develop a treatment scheme which allows for the efficient removal of pollutants while minimizing the energy input and maximizing...